Road tax in Cyprus (the circulation license or “road tax”) costs between €10 and €1,500 per year, calculated based on your car’s CO2 emissions or engine capacity. Fully electric cars are exempt.
You pay online at rtd.mcw.gov.cy, and the deadline for 2026 has been extended to March 31.
Below you will find the exact rates, a calculation example, the payment steps, and what happens if you are late.
Between €10 and €1,500 per year, depending on your emissions or engine size. For cars registered from 2014, the tax is calculated based on CO2 emissions (grams per kilometer).
Older cars are taxed based on engine displacement (cc). The amount is capped at €1,500 per year, even for heavy engines. An economical hybrid pays around €45, a large SUV around €500.
Progressive per gram of CO2, just like with income tax: every tire counts separately.
For cars based on CO2, this scale applies:
| CO2 emissions | Rate per gram |
|---|---|
| up to 120 g/km | €0,50 |
| 120 – 150 g/km | €3,00 |
| 150 – 180 g/km | €5,00 |
| above 180 g/km | €10,00 |
You pay the low rate on the first grams and only the high rate on the portion above each threshold. So, a car of 200 g/km does not cost 200 × €10, but:
The maximum of €1,500 is only reached around 300 g/km. Don't know your exact CO2 figure? It is stated on your registration certificate (logbook) or certificate of conformity.
Fully electric cars pay €0. They are 100% exempt, as part of Cyprus's green policy.
Cars registered before 2014 are taxed on engine displacement instead of CO2: a 1,600cc car, for example, pays approximately €96 per year. The €1,500 cap applies here as well, so even a classic with a 5,000cc engine pays no more than that.
For the exact cc rate of your classic car, consult the RTD portal, as the classification varies by registration date.
Do you want to move to Cyprus and/or import your car into Cyprus?
We can help you.
Via the RTD portal at rtd.mcw.gov.cy, in four steps.
Ensure you have a valid MOT (technical inspection) and active insurance; the system automatically checks both and blocks payment if anything is missing.
MOT, insurance, and your reference number. Specifically:
A fine of €10 plus 10% of the annual amount.
The penalty-free deadline for 2026 was extended to March 31 after the government website became overloaded. No reminders are sent, so you must be on time yourself.
If you do not pay and have not registered your car as “immobilized”, the tax continues automatically and your vehicle may be removed from the TOM register.
If you drive with unpaid road tax, you risk a fine during a police check.
If you will not be using your car for a period, submit an immobilisation declaration before the deadline.
You do that online, and it exempts you from the tax for that period. If you don't do that, the tax is simply charged, even if the car is stationary.
By way of comparison: where the Netherlands levies motor vehicle tax based on weight and fuel (quarterly, often €600 to €900+ per year) and Belgium, for example, levies road tax based on fiscal horsepower, Cyprus calculates purely on CO2, with an exemption for EVs and a hard cap at €1,500.
For most fuel-efficient cars, you will therefore end up paying significantly less in Cyprus. Always calculate your home country rate separately.
Have you only just arrived on the island and do you still need to register, import, or insure your car?
That is exactly where our team can help. We handle the registration and import formalities, and get you on your way with the right insurance, so you can pay your road tax without any hassle.
Relevant information
Any questions? Feel free to ask us!
Between €10 and €1,500 per year, based on CO2 emissions (cars from 2014) or engine capacity (older cars). An economical hybrid pays around €45, a large SUV about €500, with a maximum of €1,500.
At rtd.mcw.gov.cy: enter your license plate number and owner's reference number, choose a period of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, and pay by card. You need a valid MOT and insurance.
The penalty-free deadline for 2026 has been extended to March 31. After that, you will pay €10 plus 10% of the annual amount as a fine.
Yes, fully electric cars do not pay road tax in Cyprus and are exempt.
No. The RTD does not send reminders. You must renew on time yourself to avoid fines.
No, banks no longer process road tax at the counter. Pay online, or at an RTD district office or Citizen Service Centre (KEP).
A valid MOT inspection, active car insurance, and your owner's reference number (the last three digits of your ID, ARC, or passport).
Submit an immobilisation declaration via the RTD portal before the deadline. Then you do not have to pay road tax for that period.
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